Bella's Visit

My mom just spent a little over a week here in Vermont visiting us.  One of the great things about Bella visiting is that she takes LOTS of photos.  So I actually have documentation!  I am so bad about taking pictures, especially of fun little day trips.  But I sent all of her phone pics to me, so I actually have pictures for this post.

This is one of the best visits we've ever had.  Both my mom and I usually have little tasks we are planning, like sew Jack's bed skirt or make pillows.  But this trip, the only task was to have fun and enjoy fall and the boys.  Accomplished!  Here's what we did:  played at some of our favorite parks, went shopping, walked down Church Street, got drinks at El Gato and Citizen Cider (my mom is cider fan now!), had day trips to Middlebury and Montreal, went to the Harvest Festival at Sam Mazzas, and went apple picking at Shelburne Orchards.  She got to visit our new church and see Jack's school.

It's a running joke in our family how much Bella loves a covered bridge.  I found a bridge that was just a couple of minutes out of our way down to Middlebury.

Bella with two of her favorites--covered bridges and Jack.

Jack loved looking at Otter Creek.

About four years ago, we came to Middlebury with Bech's parents and his little brother.  We ate at this cute little cafe, Storm Cafe, right by Otter Creek.  I looked it up and it's still there, so we went to lunch there.  It is really good!

Another shot of Otter Creek.

This little boy is such a wild man!

Jack got a new treat while Bella was here.  We haven't taken off the training wheels yet, but he loves his new bike!

The Saturday that my mom was here, we got in the car bright and early to head to Montreal.  Counting time at the border, it takes little less than 2 hours to get to Montreal from Burlington.  We headed first to Old Montreal and walked the streets, looking in shops and stopping for a tour of the Notre Dame Basilica.

It warmed up, but the morning was chilly!

I can't remember the name of the building behind us.  But I think it was important?

We went to a Portuguese rotisserie restaurant for lunch (on the recommendation of a friend).  It was yummy!  While there, a man told us about the Marche Jean-Talon, so we headed there next.  It's a huge indoor/outdoor market with all sorts of vendors.  There were beautiful fresh fruits and vegetables, local honey, mushrooms, macaroons, meat, cheeses, flowers...everything!  My mom wanted a picture with the mums to send to her parents (who are avid gardeners).

It looks so funny now that Gil is walking around.  He is really tiny, so people stop and ask his age a lot.  This outfit is a 12 month sweater onesie from Gap.  Look how big it is on him!

Our last stop was Mont Royal, a mountain in the middle of the city with incredible views.

Look at that!

Our ride home took an extra hour.  There was a teacher union strike at the foot of the Mont Royal so we hit traffic there.  Then the Pont Champlain (Champlain Bridge) was closed for some reason.  But we finally made it home, tired but happy.

My mom wanted some pictures of her with the boys with a pretty view in the background.  I drove down by Lake Champlain and found a new (to us) park, Battlefront.  The park itself is good, but not amazing, but it's the view that is incredible!  Jack enjoyed the playground though.

This little munchkin thinks he is a big guy, just like his brother.  He loves to climb (supervised, of course!) up play sets and slide down the slides.  I have trouble on my hands...

I think the shot turned out pretty cute, don't you?  And that pose of Jack's?  All his own idea!

We had a great trip with Bella and are already missing her!